Today, September 30^, 2010, we are commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the establishment of the Augustinians of the Assumption in Argentina. For this reason, the wide Assumptionist Family in this country is filled with joy as celebrations take place all week. There have been one hundred years of the hard and fruitful work of evangelization and the development of Catholic education.

It was on September 30, 1910 that Father Roman Heitmann, an Assumptionist born in Fr. d’Alzon’s homeland of France, arrived in Argentina to establish and develop the congregation here. As part of his legacy, the city of Buenos Aires now enjoys the shrine and school of Our Lady of Lourdes as well San Román Institute (named after him), where today, one hundred years later, the process of the evangelization begun by Father Roman continues to grow.

In order to participate in the celebrations, religious and lay people from around the world have come to Argentina. Among them, we cite the presence of the Superior General of the Assumptionists, Very rev. Richard Lamoureux, the Vicar General, Rev. Julio Navarro, and the Assumptionist Provincial Superior of South America, Very Rev. Juan Carlos Cisterna. 

The celebrations began on Sunday the 26^th with a Mass presided by the Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina, held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Throughout the coming week there will be more celebrations and tributes that will take place at both schools sponsored by the congregation, as well as exhibits of painting and music. Fr. Richard will give a series of talks and conferences for the community in order to deepen individuals’ appreciation the Assumptionist charism that Father d’Alzon left us.

Today, more than ever, for the Assumptionist community in Argentina, the words of Father Roman resonate in their hearts showing his courage and spirit of progress:

“Always more, always better, always forward”.

 by Mrs. Celeste Trotta de Berutti
Assumptionist Lay Associate
Buenos Aires